Mild upset for Windsun Cheyenne at H3R

Trois-Rivieres, QC – With a late scratch and the field shortened to just five starters, Windsun Cheyenne picked a perfect opportunity to upset 1/5 favorite Hooter Shooter in the Preferred Pace at the Hippodrome 3R Friday afternoon.

Starting from the rail, driver Pascal Berube sent Windsun Cheyenne right to the lead and never looked back. With Outlaw Turn & Burn (Francis Picard) sitting right on their backs, Windsun Cheyenne cut fractions of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:26.3.

Hooter Shooter (Stephane Brosseau) tried coming first-over to no avail, failing to gain any ground on the leaders.

On the final turn, Picard urged Outlaw Turn & Burn to come after Windsun Cheyenne, but they were unable to collar the race leader, who went on to win by one length in 1:55.3. Always A Diamond (Steeven Genois) was third.

The oldest horse in the field at age 10, Windsun Cheyenne is sired by the recently deceased Cam's Card Shark. It was his second win this year and 26th career win. He is trained and co-owned by Gina Bragagnolo of Lavaltrie and paid $10.20 to win.

After being parked out three-wide on the first turn from post 8, race favorite Keepall and driver Carol Voyer led the field the rest of the one-mile race in capturing the Preferred Trot.

Keepall held the field at bay and came on in the stretch to win by two lengths in 2:00.2. Holiday Party (Pascal Berube) was second with Eau Naturelle (Stephane Gendron) third.

It was the third win of the season, second in the Preferred Trot for Keepall. He is a six-year-old gelding by Angus Hall, trained by Sylvain Tremblay for the Alpha Stable of Metabetchouan and Gino Curadeau of Formont. He paid $5.10 to win.

The highest win payoff of the 2020 season took place Friday as Godiva Mackiavelyc and driver Steeven Genois upset the field in the fourth race pace at 25-1 odds, paying $52.50 to win.

Track Notes: Stephane Gendron led all the drivers on Friday with three wins. Trainer Maxime Velaye had two wins. Live racing resumes Sunday afternoon at the Hippodrome 3R. First race post time is 1:00 pm. Featured will be the 7th race Mares Preferred-Handicap Pace with the return of Twice An Angel (post 6) who last week was an impressive 1:56.4 winner and will be driven by Maxim Gaudreault. For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.

From the Quebec Jockey Club